Explore A Real Old West Mining And Ghost Town: Calico Ghost Town

Calico, California may have had a short and vibrant life, but it still exists today as an extremely popular tourist attraction. Originally founded in 1881, Calico is now one of the last remaining mining towns and ghost towns in the west. You can visit Calico Ghost Town for a trip back in time, making it a fun day trip for the whole family.

To get to Calico Ghost Town, you’ll need to head east on Interstate 10, and the total drive runs about two hours from Los Angeles. When you get there, you can explore a lot of great spots and have fun just learning all about this historic town. At its most popular, Calico had a population of about 1,200 people and more than 500 silver mines. The big silver mine rush made Calico grow quickly up until the mid 1890s, when the price of silver began to drop. The year 1907 marked the end of Calico, and the once bustling town quickly began to die out.

It wasn’t until 1951 that Walter Knott (of Knott’s Berry Farm) came along and bought the dwindling town. He used old photographs to begin restoring the town, eventually donating it to San Bernardino County in 1966. Today, the town of Calico is a registered historic landmark in California and even boasts the “Official State Silver Rush Ghost Town” designation.

So what will you see when you make the drive to Calico? Enjoy a walk down Main Street and feel transported back in time. Explore the old west buildings and take lots of great photos of a real western Ghost Town. You can enjoy one of the 265 different campsites or one of the six cabins available on site. Or bring your bike and head out on some of the many area trails. Be aware though that the mines in Calico are very dangerous, so keep your exploration to the buildings and trails.

This sunny day trip is made perfect when you head out for your destination in the 2013 E550 Cabriolet from Mercedes-Benz of Encino. Is the the perfect accompaniment to a great afternoon drive, as you enjoy traveling in pure luxury and total comfort, arriving at your destination in true Mercedes-Benz style.

Deb Flomberg grew up in the mountains, developed a love for the beach and has found happiness on the open road. She is now a freelance writer, theater professional and travel enthusiast happy to be writing about the things she loves most.

This is a “sponsored post,” meaning the company who sponsored the article compensated me for writing the article. The opinions I have expressed, however, are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”